I started working with dried flowers and pressed botanicals a few years ago, and it has taught me a few things.
- Delicate dried flowers can burn or disintegrate in epoxy resin.
- Glossy Mod Podge however much we love it, can make you cry (and even ruin your floral project)
- Depending on your project, pressed flowers MUST be chosen as carefully as you would choose fabric, paper, or paint colors.
So how can you still work with these lovely mediums and create long lasting, archival art that you can be proud of? Read more to learn about 3 of the most botanical-friendly crafts.
- Framed Glass Art
What you’ll need:
-Scissors
-Double sided glass frame. (any size)I buy mine on Aliexpress or Amazon.
-Clear glue, glossy mod podge, or a tape runner.
-Pressed Flowers
How to make it:
- Place the flowers onto the glass. Make sure to tack down all specimens with glue until they’re difficult to move. Allow the glue to dry completely before closing the glass frame.
2. Start by selecting your botanical specimens and arranging them in your frame. Use scissors to trim and refine your arrangement until it is to your liking.
3. Remove all of the flowers, and strategically place dots of clear glue on the inner glass. Wait until your glue becomes tacky. The time will depend on the type of glue that you’re using. Tip: Test out the cure time by placing a few different sized glue dots on a plastic surface. See how long it takes for the glue to become more viscous and less runny.
4. Once dry, display your beautiful arrangement! I love making smaller arrangements for office spaces and display shelves. These also make adorable secondary gifts in care packages.
NOTE: Glass offers a more eco-friendly alternative to epoxy resin. Though I love working with resin, I’ve started to become more conscious and selective of my usage-to-creation ratio.
2. Floral Bookmarks
What you’ll need:
-Cricut Cutting Machine (highly recommended for a cleaner result) However, you can also create your own frames. Simply use two gift tags or rectangular pieces of paper. Measure and cut out another rectangle of your preferred size in the center of your paper. Use an X-Acto knife to make the cut out.
-Pressed flowers. Preferably long stem flowers that press very flat such as fleabane and daisies. You can also use small flowers without stems.
-Self or thermal laminating sheets.
-Thermal laminator. (If using thermal lamination)
-Scissors
-Kraft paper cardstock
-Glue stick, or my personal recommendation, Kuretake Glue Pens. They will make less of a mess, and create a longer lasting bond on kraft paper.
How to make it:
Search for “bookmark frame” in the “images” section. Or follow this link to use a template I created!
If using a Cricut machine, start a new project in Cricut Design Space.
- Select a design you like the shape of. You can also create your own by “slicing” new shapes into existing templates.
- Resize your design. Choose whatever size will accommodate the shape of your flowers.
- Cut out your frames out on kraft paper.
- Once you’ve cut out your design, remove half of the frames from the mat. Leave the other half on the mat. This will make keeping them flat easier once you’re ready to assemble everything.
- Laminate your flowers. Be sure to use your frame as a guide to arrange them within the window. Leave an inch of space between each arrangement for cutting if you’re making more than one bookmark.
- Cut around the flowers, leaving a bit of allowance for gluing them onto the frame. I never measure like I should. Just use the frame as guide to avoid cutting off too much laminating plastic.
- Return to the mat and apply a generous layer of Kuretake glue to the entire surface of the frames still stuck to the Cricut mat.
- Carefully place the laminated floral arrangement on the frame.
- Apply another layer of glue around the edges of the lamination, and also on the other frame.
- Place the second frame over one of the mat frames, and press down firmly. Tip: You can also place a book on top to keep them flat.
- Let your bookmarks dry for about 20 minutes before adding your embellishments. I love using key charms, grommets, ribbons, or tassels.
3. UV Resin Pendants
Before I started working with UV resin, I was told that it isn’t light fast. Which is true for most resins on the market. I’ve also heard that it yellows over time and that the UV light burns flowers.
These are all things that I’ve experienced working with flowers in UV resin. However, I’ve managed to make projects that have stayed glossy, clear, and beautiful for over 2 years now, and I want to share my tips and tricks!
Tip #1: USE a high quality UV resin such as the one from Counter Culture DIY.
Tip #2: AVOID using delicate flowers such as forget-me-nots, hydrangeas, larkspur, etc. If the petals are thin and delicate, they WILL become distorted or burn. Think florets, spaced petals, and small leaves.
Tip #3: USE opaque, strong, and VERY flat flowers such as pressed Violets, Chamomile, Fleabane daisies, Rosettes, Queen Anne’s Lace, and Baby’s Breath.
Tip #4: AVOID flowers with too many overlapping petals. These will trap air bubbles inside of your resin layers that tend to express during curing. They tend to cause very large holes and gaps.
What you’ll need:
-Pressed Flowers (My favorite seller on Etsy)
-Very high quality UV resin (My suggestion: Counter Culture DIY)
–Cabochon bases or frame pendants
–Barrier tape (if using a frame instead of cabochon base.)
-Toothpicks to pop bubbles (I actually prefer using a sewing needle)
-Light Curer such as a nail lamp. I use the Melody Susie 36W nail lamp from Amazon. Counter Culture DIY sells one specifically for their UV resin as well.
-Pressed Flowers (My favorite seller on Etsy)
Optional: Colorants. I use mica powders, acrylic paints, and black and white resins from Counter Culture DIY (not sponsored, I wish!) These give your resin a background to stand out against.
-Nitrile gloves
How to make it:
- Start by applying a thin layer of UV resin to your base or taped frame. This will be the layer with color (if using pigments).
2. Pop any visible bubbles with a toothpick and cure the first layer for about 1-3 minutes.
3. Apply a thin dot of clear resin to the first cured layer. This will give your flowers something to stick to as you arrange them.
4. Once your flowers are arranged, apply a few strategic dots of resin around them to keep them in place. Cure the first thin layer without covering the flowers completely. Remember to pop bubbles!
5. Continue to add thin layers. Cure each layer for 1-3 minutes each. Repeat this process until your flowers are covered and your top coat has a domed appearance.
6. Finished! Avoid touching your project for several minutes until fully cooled. You don’t want fingerprints in your shiny top coat!
For more floral project ideas, find me on Pinterest!
